Iran has rejected U.S. demands for direct talks regarding its nuclear program, warning neighboring countries hosting U.S. military bases, namely Iraq, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Turkey, and Bahrain, that it will target them if attacked from their territories.

Iran emphasized that any support for a U.S. attack against it would be considered an act of hostility.

These warnings come amid rising regional tensions following events in Gaza and Lebanon, as well as U.S. military strikes in Yemen.

The commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Major General Hossein Salami, stated that Iran “will not initiate any war,” but is prepared to confront it with strength.